Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament Saturday

April 3, 2013

The 15th Annual Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament - one redfish, two trout and one mystery fish - will be held at Pineland Marina Saturday, April 6.

Registration for the tournament is $350 per four anglers and $50 for each additional angler. The fee includes a captain's dinner, ramp, parking, barbecue and fish fry and a captain's bag.

The captains' meeting will be held Friday, April 5, at Monroe Canal Marina, 3105 Stringfellow Road, in St. James City, at 7 p.m.

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Last year 33 kids took part in the Bobby Holloway Fishing Tournament kid’s captain meeting at Stonegate Bank.

Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund Treasurer Elsie Stearns said, at the meeting, the captains will receive their bucket of goodies, which was sponsored by Roger Dean Chevrolet, their meal ticket and rules and regulations about the tournament.

"It's only open to the fishermen," she said.

The fishermen will also be treated to food from Woody's Waterside and Low Key Tiki during the captains' meeting, as well as hear from the owner of Great for Bait.

Fact Box

If You Go

What: 15th Annual Bobby

Holloway Annual Tournament

When: Saturday, April 6

Where: Pineland Marina, 13921

Waterfront Drive, Pineland

Entry fee: $350 per four anglers,

$50 each additional angler

Captains meeting: Friday, April 5,

7 p.m., at Monroe Canal Marina,

3105 Stringfellow Road, St.

James City

The youngsters will also have a captains' meeting at Stonegate Bank Tuesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. Stearns said the entire family is invited to attend the meeting. The children participating in the tournament will receive a lunch box full of goodies, thanks to Cambio Dermatology's sponsorship.

As of Thursday, there were 35 children signed up for the kids' fishing tournament, which will also take place April 6. Twelve licensed charter guides are donating their boats, time and treasures for the event, Stearns said.

She said the kids will have the opportunity to meet the captains and pick their team name, learn how to cast a net and use a fishing rod, as well as learn about the different fish during the meeting. She said Ernestine Holloway Squires will also talk about her son Bobby to carry on his memory.

Bobby Holloway Jr. lost his life in a hunting accident in 1997 at the age of 11.

Stearns said the tournament, which began in March 1997 at Pineland Marina, is a tribute to little Bobby's legacy.

"He has been gone for 16 years," she said. "We want to continue little Bobby's memory."

Stearns said little Bobby was always worried about the kids who did not have cleats to play football or a glove to play baseball. She said he would ask his parents to help in purchasing those items for the other kids.

"He cared about others," Stearns said.

The Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund was set up to continue to help the youth of Pine Island.

The shotgun start for the tournament will be at 7:30 a.m., near marker 10 in Darling Key in Pineland Channel April 6. The mandatory check-in is no later than 8:30 a.m. with the tournament director.

"It's a fun tournament, everyone really has a good time," Stearns said.

All boats must be back at the docks no later than 3:30 p.m. for the weigh-in.

Cape Tool, who is a big sponsor, will conduct the weigh-in with the assistance of Thomas Clapp, a board member of the Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund.

The first place winners will receive $1,250 (sponsored by Stearns Custom Builders), the second place winner will receive $750 (sponsored by York Road Marina), the third place winner will receive $500 (sponsored by Pineland Marina), the fourth place winner will receive $350 (sponsored by Southern Tradition Bushhog and Mowing) and the fifth place winner will receive free entry for next year's tournament (sponsored by Monroe Canal).

Honc Industries is the sponsor for the redfish with the most spots.

The children's boats will depart around 8:30 a.m. and arrive back at Pineland Marina around 1:30 for weigh-in.

Total Payroll sponsors the Youth Division for the tournament.

Stearns said the food will be served at 2 p.m., which will also kick off the festivities. Individuals who did not participate in the tournament can purchase a dinner ticket for $8.

The raffle will begin tentatively at 5 p.m. after the tournament winners are announced around 4:30 p.m. Stearns said they have such items as a stay at Useppa Island, a stay at Tween Waters, four tickets to Sea World, among many other items.

Stearns said the raffle typically takes a minimum of two hours to get through due to the abundance of items. The event will also include a silent auction.

"Local organizations have always been phenomenal," she said. "People really open their hearts to the Bobby Holloway Foundation."

A large portion of the profits from the annual tournament provides funds for the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Stearns said they have provided 114 scholarships to those continuing their education over the past nine years.

This year's deadline is May 15. Applications can be picked up at Stonegate Bank and Century 21. In order to apply for the scholarship a student can either be a high school graduate or continuing their education in some type of training beyond the high school level as long as they are enrolled in school.

Stearns said they are inviting past scholarship recipients to attend the tournament, so they can be recognized.

For more information, call Ernestine at 239-281-8225, Ralph at 239-283-2918 or Chris at 239-344-6159. Information is also posted on their website at www.hollowaytourney.org.